Anna Hazare has now laid down a set of "conditions" for Ramdev before letting him join his proposed fast in August.

After allowing Baba Ramdev to share the dais with him during his fast in Jantar Mantar in April and later voicing support to the yoga guru, veteran Gandhian Anna Hazare has now laid down a set of "conditions" for Ramdev before letting him join his proposed fast in August.

Speaking to TV reporters in Maharashtra late on Sunday, Anna Hazare said: "Baba has expressed his wish to sit on fast with me but I have placed a set of demands in front of him. If they are met, then I will think about it."

Adding to it, a member of civil society activists led by Hazare said in Delhi: "This is not the first time that Anna has said this. Earlier too he had mentioned that he will welcome Baba Ramdev to join his fast only after they talked about certain issues."

Anna Hazare has announced that he will sit on another fast Aug 16 at Jantar Mantar for a strong Lokpal bill.

While he supported Ramdev's campaign against corruption and even sat on a one-day fast after the yoga guru was ousted from the capital's Ramlila Ground amid bedlam June 5, his statement of raising an army of 11,000 young men and women to strike back when attacked did not go down well with Hazare and his team.

Ramdev returned to the capital Sunday and accused the police of trying to kill him and assaulting women during the June 5 crackdown, when they were protesting against corruption.

Sibal was a lawyer in New York when his wife was posted as a diplomat in New York. How did he get green card to get admission in New York state bar is a mystery. It needs to be investigated like Queen Baton Relay investigation against Suresh Kalmadi. If you dig out his bar admission application and follow the trail how he got green card, I have a strong feeling like Suresh Kalmadi and A Raja, he will join them too. When a person applies for green card, he has to sign application under oath stating he intends to abandon his foreign residence (in his case it is India) permanently and he intends to accept U.S. as his new permanent home. How can a person be made Union Cabinet minister who had expressed his intent to abandon India permanently. He is on a sensitive position with access to India’s vital interests when in the past he had expressed intent to abandon India for ever. It needs to be investigated.

Terror of Muslims among Hindus in Umarkhed (Dist. Yavatmal): "Muslims have established an organisation called ‘Alamdar’ here. The workers of the organisation are simplyharassing the Hindus. All the Hindus in the city are living in constant fear. According to the news published by the periodical ‘Samna’, Shivsena demands an action against the workers of the organisation."

The Muslims of Alamdar are ever busy in cunning connivances like, beating Hindus when they are alone for any simple reason, teasing young girls, harassing Hindu businessmen, extortion of Hindu employees, and so on.

Hindus in village Uttar Nibra Panchanantala, P.S. Domjur, Dist:Howrah in the Indian state ofBengal offered a heroic resistance against Muslim thugs (on June 22) when the incident of stabbing of Hindu youths, Malo Ram and Babla Bera, following their protest against eve-teasing of Hindu girls by Muslim thugs took place.

The entire village and its neighborhood, at this point in time, are terrified and apprehending worst.

The Welfare Party of India (WPI) is a new addition in the list of over half a dozen existing Muslim parties in India with Mujtaba Farooque who was till recently the secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind(JIH)as its president and Syed Qasim Rasul Ilyas another prominent member of JIH as general secretary. JIH was formed in April 1948 as an offshoot of Jamaat-e-Islami(JEI) which was launched as a religio-political Islamic movement in 1941 by a puritan Islamist Abul Ala Maududi (1903-1979).

Even though 11 out of 16 office bearers of the WPI are JIH activists, the party president Mujtaba Farooque claims that it is neither a Muslim party nor a front of the JIH and has declared that it has five non-Muslims namely Fr. Abraham Joseph, Mrs. Lalitha Naik, Prof. Rama Panchal, Prof. Rama Surya Rao and Subramani in the list. Surprisingly, Dr.J K Jain, president of the minority cell of the BJP was also invited to share the platform and speak during the launch function. So much so Fr. Abraham Joseph a Church leader recited Gayatri mantra to prove secular credentials of the party.

Speaking on the concept paper of the WPI Mujtaba Farooque stated: “The real test of a democracy is how it treats its minorities. The biggest minority of the country, the Muslims, have gradually become the most backward social group. By all educational, economic and other developmental measures, they went through unprecedented downfall in the last six decades. They could not still get rid of the lethal sense of insecurity. The violent communalism always keeps them terrorised. The state excesses, sometimes, in the name of curbing communal conflicts and sometimes in the name of countering terrorism, have not yet stopped.”( Afroz Alam Sahil in Beyond Headlines).

JIH is known for its strong commitment to the anti-secular, anti-democracy and Pan-Islamist ideology of Maududi ever since its formation and therefore, never joined electoral politics in India. It hardly has any literature which supports secularism. Even after migration of Maududi to Pakistan the JIH activists have fervently believed and preached his ideology for over six decades.

Maududi advocated for a more assertive political Islam and preached Jihadi ideology of Islamism throughout his life. Widely known for his Islamic activism for obdurate fight against the political system of infidels by updating the proto-Islamist thoughts of eighteenth century Islamists like Shah Waliullah of Delhi and Mawlana Wahhab of Arabian Peninsula, his objective was to convert Indian sub-continent then under British rule from dar-ul- kufr (land of infidels) to dar-ul-Islam (land of Islam). Accordingly, while migrating to Pakistan Maududi advised his followers to boycott the secular political structure including legislative bodies, judiciary and executive which is not in conformity with Islamic scriptures namely Quran, Hadith and Sharia.

Due to his life long preaching on Islamic radicalism Maududi was the first recipient of King Faisal International award in 1979 for his Service to Islam. The award which was started by Saudi Arabia in 1976 carried a 24 carat 200 gram gold medal and a cash prize of 200,000 US dollars. (Wikipadea).

After partition of the Indian sub-continent and migration of Maududi to Pakistan, the JIH’s main problem was how to camouflage its Islamist character and guard the party against any Government action when Indian constitution accepted democracy and socialism. Since Maududi regarded Indian constitution contrary to the Islamic concept of governance, the JIH started its Islamist politics in ambiguity. It adopted a strategy to carry forward t the-political ideology of Hukumat-e-Ilahia (Rule of God) based on Islamic scriptures through Jihad (Holy War) as propounded by Maududi by replacing them with new terminology namely Iqamate Deen( Islamic religious order) and Saleh Inqilab (Peaceful revolution) respectively.

Staying aloof from direct electoral politics, the JIH floated a student front known as Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) in April 1978 immediately after Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and extended support to its cadres from behind. When the Islamist design of SIMI was exposed following its aggressive campaign during Afghan war, the JIH kept a safe distance from it and formed another students front in 1982 known as Students Islamic Organisation (SIO). Almost all the top office bearers of both the SIMI and the SIO were drawn from the JIH.

Against the backdrop of the commitment of the JIH to the Jihadi ideology of Madudi, formation of a Muslim driven party by his disciples in a ‘secular’ mask named as Welfare Party of India is not only a new phenomenon but somewhat intriguing. Does it mean that the JIH has adopted the strategy to preach democracy and secularism openly and push Maududism secretly? Or has the JIH abandoned Maududism which does not permit the Muslims to be the part of the governance which is not in conformity with Islamic scriptures?

Since the JIH has been following Maududism since its inception and none of the WPI office bearers have given any statement that they have abandoned the anti-democracy ideology of Maududi, it appears that ‘Islamic revolutionaries’ who are committed to oppose vehemently the man-made constitution, legislative bodies and political ideas of democracy, socialism and secularism are now trying to achieve their objective through a seemingly 'innocent' means.

Due to the ambiguous style of politics the JIH is still having only a very small following among the Indian Muslims even after its existence of over six decades. But a significant section of radical Muslim youths who are found more inclined towards Islamist terrorist groups like Al Qaeda, Taliban and its associated outfits operating in India and are also against the strategic alliance of Saudi Arabia with USA may need political protection. Is it the objective of the JIH to unite them under the banner of the WPI and help them politically?

If the JIH is not a Muslim party, then why were the speakers one after the other concentrated only on the plight of the Muslims? Even the concept paper of the WPI focussed mainly on the alleged plight of minorities particularly the Muslims. A joint strategy of the party with ‘like minded’ parties to contest future elections particularly in Uttar Pradesh in 2012 revealed the political objectives of the JIH. They have already initiated dialogue with Muslim parties like Ulema Council and Peace Party in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the country.

The JIH was one of the radical Islamist organizations which took active part in hosting the royal welcome to Mecca Imam during his visit in India (March 24-28, 2011). The Saudi cleric asked the organizers to unite the Muslims for changing their existing social order and also plumped for setting up an Islamic TV channel in India for preaching the teachings of the companions of the Prophet. (See my paper on Mecca Imam visit in India). Within a month of his visit the JIH appears to have formed the WPI (April 19). Was this to impress upon the Saudi Monarchy that it was responding to the call of Mecca Imam for the political unity of the Indian Muslims?

Encouraged with the success of Muslim candidates in recently held Assembly elections particularly in West Bengal and Kerala, the JIH perhaps is now preparing for fielding its own candidates in coming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2012 under the cover of a secular party. In the era of coalition politics and political parties, it is possible that the JIH is exploring other means to acquire political clout. This should be seen in the light of the results of the recently concluded elections in Assam and West Bengal where the Islamist group has managed to send 28 and 59 candidates respectively to the assembly.

Some may argue that it is not a bad development if the JIH has floated a new party that is committed to the man-made constitution and people should welcome it. But if the intention of the Maududi-ites is so pious, why are they trying to enter politics through the back door?. They should have come forward and publicly declared that in view of the changing socio-political environment of the world, the intolerant and outrageous ideology of Mauduism is now outdated? They have not said so so far.

The problem of Islamist groups in India is that their leadership is not yet ready to understand the political ground reality of the country. Except Jammu and Kashmir, the Muslim population is scattered across the country and therefore even after sixty four years of partition there is no Muslim political party in the country which has a national character. Two Muslim parties namely Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala and Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen are not even regional parties and what to talk of their national status. While the IUML is hardly having any existence beyond Malappuram district in Kerala, the MIM is only a city based party in Hyderabad of Andhra Pradesh.

The emergence of a new political alliance among different Muslim groups including the Islamists should not end up as a danger signal for assertive communal politics in coming days as the heirs of Maududi. Mauddodism has to be fought and defeated politically. Is the JIH willing to reform itself politically? Or will it with the new 'secular credentials' not only make make demands like reservation for Muslims in government jobs but would also press for proportionate political share in democratic institutions like parliament and assemblies? This would take us to pre partition days and this is neither in the interest of the Muslim community nor in the interest of the unity and integrity of the country.

Summary: The proud Hindu parents and youths need to learn to simply say “NO” to a religious conversion request (Baptism, Bris, Shahadah/Sunat; BBS) for an interfaith marriage involving a Christian, Jew or Muslim. This is a true test to help identify a potential religious fanatic. By saying NO to the BBS request, one will increase chances of a guilt-free and long lasting happy married life even if it is an interfaith marriage.

Proselytism and religious conversion of poor and less fortunate Hindus in India is of major concern to many, however silent religious conversions of most educated and blessed our young adults and their children in the West has not raised eye brows of most.

Thirty eight percent of marriages of Hindus, Jains and Sikhs (Dharmics) in America are to Christians, Jews and Muslims (Abrahamics). Forty five percent of Muslims in America marry to non-Muslims. However, there is a limited tolerance for Hindus and Hindu practices of praying multiple forms of the God in Abrahamics’ exclusivist supremacist monotheist religious beliefs1, 2, 3, 4. For this exact reason they expect conversion by the BBS of the Hindu spouse. It is unbelievable but still true today that many marriages in Christian churches and to a Muslim there is a must requirement for religious conversion of Hindus by Baptism and Shahadah, respectively, to the faith of intended spouse. In some cases, a Christian or Jew may not ask for a religious conversion for marriage but will certainly ask to declare the interfaith child as a Christian by Christening/Baptism or Jew by Bris circumcision ceremony, respectively.

Considering divorce rate in interfaith marriages is estimated up to 70%, why would a Hindu gives up birth religion for some intolerant Abrahamic? If Mahatma Gandhiji has to rewrite his famous statement today, probably he would say…“Your religion is like your mother. Just because your intended spouse is demanding that you adopt your mother-in-law as your dear mother, you are not going to abandon your birth mother!”

In all most all cases, the Abrahamic love mate will start by telling a Hindu youth that “I don’t care for all these BBS rituals,” “It is only a formality,” and “do it just to please my parents or grandmother” but don’t underestimate the inner desire of this Abrahamic. Don’t be in a wrong impression that the BBS is a hollow ritual devoid of meaning. Further, the religious conversion is not a onetime event; you are setting a new tone for your life. If you feed a shark, it will come back again for more food. Similarly, religious conversion for marriage will be followed by the expectation of a declaration of faith for your children via Baptism, Bris or Sunat. Later, you may be forbidden to practice your own religion so children would not learn and follow it. Also, your spouse or his/her family may not like to be part of a Hindu religious ceremony while at your parent’s home. When your fantasy love period ends and it transformed into a routine married life, then these issues will become sore points in your life.

Consider the BBS as a “tip of iceberg.” Let’s take example of the Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore. She converted to Islam to marry Mansur Ali Khan and changed her name to Begum Ayesha Sultana. All her 3 children have Muslim names and were raised as 100% Muslims. Their son, Saif Ali Khan's wife, Amrita Singh, had the same fate as Sharmila except later she got talak (divorce). Further, if Kareena Kapoor marries to Saif, probably the same saga will continue. For your daughter (or son), do you wish for the same religious fate like Sharmila? Would you not say “no” to the “unintended” BBS and divert the love Titanic away from a major disaster?

If your doctor tells you that you have a high cholesterol or blood pressure, would you not be concerned about future massive heart attack or stroke? A request for the BBS of a Hindu for marriage should be considered as an alarming sign for a major trouble coming 15 years into your marriage life.

If your intended spouse (or in-laws) is expecting the BBS religious conversion, especially for your children, then you have one of two choices: 1) accept his or her Abrahamic faith and be prepared to give up your birth religion and cultural heritage completely or 2) clarify that you have pride in your birth religion and ask for equality by denying the BBS religious labeling request. Promise only what you mean. A married life based on misleading assurances or lies will have serious consequences later for both. The married life is a long journey; do not start in a wrong direction.

Many times, without realizing long term consequences, Hindu youths may opt to accept a new religion just to please their intended spouse and in-laws. Further, in many cases, the Hindu parents allow Hindu children or grand children to convert to the other religion just to please their in-law. There could be 101 reasons to say “no” to Abrahamic’s proselytism tactics, while there is not one good reason for a proud Dharmic parents to say “wonderful son, go for the BBS” other than parent’s lack of courage to speak out.

These days, most Abrahamics are not religious fanatic, are open minded and thus will not expect the BBS from the intended Hindu spouse. But you want to make sure the one you are dealing with is not an intolerant for what you are. Keep in mind that the “tolerance” and “open mindedness” are not measurable characteristics and could change with the wind. However, the denial of BBS is a simple litmus test to find out the “true color” of the intended spouse. So Hindus youths and parents need to learn to ask a simple question: is there any expectation for the children of this marriage to have Baptism, Bris or Sunat?

Love is often not a planned event. Further, love is said to be blind to religion. If so then why only a Hindu is expected to be blind? Check if it is the love of his or her Abrahamic faith or a love for you comes first. It is Dharmic parents’ responsibility to guide their love-blinded children for equally of both faiths. The BBS has no place in an interfaith marriage with equality.

In many cases, when a Hindu adamantly deny the conversion for marriage and for their progeny; the other party considers and will understand it. When there are other options available, why not ask for it? Bollywood star Rhitik Roshan and Suzanne Khan kept two religions out and got married by a civil wedding, and it is an admirable act. A similar message has been given in Jodhaa Akbar, Gadar and Namastey London movies. If the BBS, which is nothing more than a religious conversion, is an absolute requirement from your potential Abrahamic in-law, why you will want to tolerate some one’s intolerance for what you are? Further, by submitting to the BBS request, you are nurturing and propagating Abrahamic’s intolerance practices against other innocent Hindu youths.

Marriages are made in heaven; however very high percent of interfaith marriages end in divorce. With such a high failure rate, why one would want to give up own birth religion irreversibly? In many cases, a divorce costs lot more than the marriage. The BBS promise will certainly have legal consequences, and after the BBS, Hindu will find difficult to win a child custody case against an Abrahamic. Check with your lawyer and view this video before submitting to the BBS request.

When it comes to college education, Hindu parents will do anything possible to make sure their children have noting but the best. For example, if their son or daughter gives up a high flying medical carrier for a bar tender job and finds a real joy of life, the Hindu parent will sure to give hell till the child changes his or her mind. Similarly, if a Hindu young adult becomes a cocaine addict, the parents will not support it by saying that “we want to see you happy and you decide what ever is right for you.” Contrary to that, when it comes to religious conversion for marriage many Hindu parents have no guts to guide their children or courage to face the Abrahamic in-law. In this Obama’s tolerant America, it is time for a “change.” It is time to say NO to the BBS.

In general Hindu parents are great bargainers when it comes to purchasing a car or a house; why not use the same negotiation skills when your son or daughter selects an Abrahamic interfaith marriage mate? One needs to respectfully deny for conversion by stating that we are Hindus and wish to remain exactly the same after the marriage. More specifically, tell your potential in-laws that we will not tolerate Baptism for a church wedding or Shahadah for Nikaah, the Islamic wedding. Further, proactively tell them that we will not tolerate Baptism, Bris or Sunat religious circumcision label for the grand children, especially when there is no scientific merit to the circumcision. Your tolerant potential in-laws will surely consider your request. At least one should ask just to learn of their “true color.”

If your Hindu daughter found a handsome and well educated Hindu and if that intended spouse later asks for - - $5,000 dowry - - as a pre-condition for the marriage, what would you think of that guy? Probably you may ask your daughter to reconsider her decision with the fear that this junwani (old timer) may bring more troubles later in her life. Similarly, why any one should tolerate if some junwani Abrahamic asks for your - - religious pride as dowry - - for the marriage?

Many parents tolerate the intolerance and accept the thought of religious conversion for their children thinking this is an easy fix to the marital grid-lock. Further, there is no risk to their prestige in the Hindu community since no one will find out. However, time will come when for these proud Hindus, now grandparents, will have a guilt feeling seeing their grand children following a different faith. It will not be pleasant for these proud Hindu grandparents to drive their Abrahamic grand children to a Church or synagogues or Mosque/Madrasas for religious education. This guilt feeling will get worst when time comes to pass your hard earned life estate for the benefit of the believers of the Abrahamic faith. At that time you may wish, instead of this “my way or no ways” BBS deal; the grand children had an option being Hindus.

You may be a Hindu for hundreds of generations. Is your Abrahamic son or daughter in-law worth so much that you are willing to end the Hindu heritage now? Was that the dream you came to the West with?

The BBS is a social evil for interfaith couples. No youth will bring up the talk of BBS in an early dating period with the fear of being labeled an intolerant. To present the BBS demand after years of romantic relationship is an ugly form of proselytism. No honest Abrahamic youth believes in imposing the BBS on their intended interfaith spouse; however they end up doing it because of pressure from their intolerant community and religious institutions. Unfortunately, instead of enjoying the most quality time, the couple has to resolve the BBS issue by uncomfortable discussion just before their marriage. It is hoped that soon there will be an end to the BBS religious conversion practices for interfaith marriages.

Well-informed and well-thought out decisions for selecting a life mate will certainly bring long lasting happiness in a married life, even if it is an interfaith marriage. But most importantly is that one wants to make sure you will have the freedom to follow your traditions and raise your children to do the same without threats to this liberty created by the Abrahamic in-law and his or her religious institutions. One of the most important things a Hindu, Jain, Sikh or Buddhist parents and youths need to do is to pro-actively say “no” to the BBS religious conversion practices of Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Chinese intrusions in North-East: "As per the report, CPI (Maoist) under a strategy to rope in sub-national armed grouping in the country’s periphery is widening its campaign for a pan–Bharatiya consolidation of violent anti–State movements."

Bangladesh on Monday night decided to make a radical shift from secularism to a pro-Islamic constitution. The move angered pro-democracy, secularist activists and also surprised the nation's moderate Muslim population.

An amendment of the constitution will be brought soon to retain Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim (in the name of Allah in the preamble of the constitution, most gracious, most merciful), freewheel policy to religious biased politicking and Islam as state religion.

A meeting of the cabinet ministers chaired by Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina on Monday approved the amendments of the constitution. The constitutional reforms committee worked for months to recommend several revisions.

Meanwhile, the opposition led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia and Islamist alliance partners launched a countrywide agitation, including strikes protesting abrogation of non-partisan interim government to ensure free, fair, credible polls in the reformed constitution. They fear that the forthcoming general elections due in 2014 could be rigged based on proven track records of ruling party.

Two senior ministers AMA Muhith and AK Khandaker expressed their discontent during a cabinet meeting and protested the inclusion of “Islam as the state religion” of the republic in the reformed constitution. They argued that it will be in conflict with the constitution of 1972 ensuring the state should be secular with equal rights to all citizens practising other religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.

Commenting on the ministers’ argument, Hasina remarked, “the committee report has been prepared in this regard on the basis of reality as there have been many changes in the past 40 years.”

Secularists argue that state cannot belong to a faith, instead human beings may have a religion or faith.

A year after the bloody war of independence from Islamic Pakistan in 1971, Bangladesh (formerly an eastern province of Pakistan) adopted a secular constitution. Despite being the fourth largest Sunni Muslim dominated population, the country banned political activities of Islamic parties.

The 1972 secular constitution guaranteed religious freedom and respect of all faiths was installed by independence leader Shiekh Mujibur Rahman, the father of present prime minister Hasina. Subsequently the military juntas ruled the country for 15 years doctored the constitution, encouraging Islamization of Bangladesh.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

2011 Assembly Elections in five states have been spectacular. While Congress and its cohorts have got victorious in states of West Bengal, Assam and Kerala, Tamil Naduand Pondicherry have been won by AIADMK (of Ms. Jayalalita) and a regional party respectively.

BJP has been uprooted almost in states like Assam, Bengal and Kerala as Hindus here can’t depend on it as a pro-Hindu party any longer. BJP has disposed of its Hindutva identity and Hindus, undergoing struggle for existence, has comprehended it already.

It is now clear that the corrupt cotarie that operates out of 10, Janpath, New Delhi has lost all hope on Dr. Manmohan Singh performing for them in the coming months as the 2G Spectrum Scam unravels and the list of accused lengthens with additions from the Congress Party. Hence the mouthpiece of the Janpath cotarie Mr. Digvijay Singh has declared that Mr. Rahul Gandhi is ready to take charge as Prime Minister of India now as if Dr. Manmohan Singh was some kind of regent in the Maino dynasty, waiting for Rahul to grow up.

First of all Mr. Rahul Gandhi should not try to become the Prime Minister of India because of a legal bar arising from Italian law which made him a citizen upon birth (to the then Italian citizen mother in 1970). He has never renounced this inherited citizenship and that he has traveled on Italian passport all over Europe on a alias. Moreover he has for the last two decades a medical history which disqualifies him to hold the post of Prime Minister.

In fact the disabilities, both legal and medical that Mr. Rahul Gandhi suffers from, does not entitle him to even remain as a Member of Parliament. Let him therefore learn from the experience of his mother whose attempt to become the Prime Minister in 2004 was aborted when the President of India Dr. Abdul Kalaam wrote her a letter (which is still to be published) and which letter was read by two witnesses present when Ms Sonia Gandhi received that letter, namely, Mr. Natwar Singh and Dr. Manmohan Singh. It should now be perfectly clear to Ms Sonia Gandhi as well as her two children that there is no legal way by which any of them can ever become the Prime Minister of India.

In a powerful acknowledgement of the national mood towards the questionable accumulation of wealth by persons in high posts, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has suggested President Pratibha Patil consider if she would like to make her assets and those of her family members public, in the manner in which the Prime Minister did for himself and his cabinet in May 2009. Information commissioner Shailesh Gandhi feels this would “set a good example in transparency”, though he lacks the authority to insist on the matter.

At stake for the nation is the issue of the exercise of power without a moral dimension and public good. Amidst growing concerns about corruption in high office, the Prime Minister has moved from demanding annual declaration of assets by cabinet ministers to asking them to dissociate from businesses doing commerce with Government.

In this respect, Dr Manmohan Singh has drawn upon one of the most powerful concepts of Indian civilization, viz. that rulers must maintain a distinction from the commercial classes, and not merge with them to the detriment of society and nation. The ancient Hindu Varna system is not an intrinsic social hierarchy (like the British class system) but a hierarchy of values. It commands the intellectual class to pursue and preserve knowledge for the social good, and not misuse monopoly over knowledge to accrue undue profit for itself.

In like manner, the ruling class (politicians, bureaucrats) is mandated not to (mis)use the power of the State to acquire wealth that would not accrue to it but for the possession of power. In other words, those desirous of acquiring material wealth must pursue it legitimately in trade, industry or the professions. Politics is about regulating the society and protecting the state; it cannot be used to pervert the polity and/or the economy in favour of a chosen few.

******************

A welcome aspect of the Prime Minister’s new initiative is the demand for information about the employment of any family member(s) of any minister with a foreign government in India or abroad, or any foreign organization. Given the oblique manner in which foreign agencies make inroads into strategic households in third world countries, this inquiry should cover foreign NGOs like Amnesty International (founded by an MI6 official). The Prime Minister’s missive is explicit that in cases where a wife or dependent is employed with a foreign establishment prior to the person becoming a minister, the PM shall decide whether or not the employment should continue. The general rule, it is stressed, is that there should be total prohibition on employment with a foreign mission.

This is unexceptionable, but the rule should immediately cover IAS officers as well, as over the past two decades many have set up lucrative NGOs in the names of their spouses, which are recipients of generous Western funding.

The word “dharma” has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Monier-Williams’ Sanskrit-English Dictionary lists several, including: conduct, duty, right, justice, virtue, morality, religion, religious merit, good work according to a right or rule, etc. Many other meanings have been suggested, such as law or “torah” (in the Judaic sense), “logos” (Greek), “way” (Christian) and even ‘tao” (Chinese). None of these is entirely accurate and none conveys the full force of the term in Sanskrit. Dharma has no equivalent in the Western lexicon.

Dharma has the Sanskrit root dhri, which means “that which upholds” or “that without which nothing can stand” or “that which maintains the stability and harmony of the universe.” Dharma encompasses the natural, innate behavior of things, duty, law, ethics, virtue, etc. Every entity in the cosmos has its particular dharma — from the electron, which has the dharma to move in a certain manner, to the clouds, galaxies, plants, insects, and of course, man. Man’s understanding of the dharma of inanimate things is what we now call physics.

***********

The reduction of dharma to concepts such as religion and law has harmful consequences: it places the study of dharma in Western frameworks, moving it away from the authority of its own exemplars. Moreover, it creates the false impression that dharma is similar to Christian ecclesiastical law-making and the related struggles for state power.

The result of equating dharma with religion in India has been disastrous: in the name of secularism, dharma has been subjected to the same limits as Christianity in Europe. A non-religious society may still be ethical without belief in God, but an a-dharmic society loses its ethical compass and falls into corruption and decadence.

…Scientists at the Anthropological Survey of India claim to have found evidence of an ancient brain surgical practice on a Bronze Age Harappan skull. The skull, believed to be around 4,300 years old, bears an incision that indicates an “unequivocal case” of a surgical practice known as trepanation, says a research paper published in the latest edition of Current Science.

Trepanation, a common means of surgery practised in prehistoric societies starting with the Stone Age, involved drilling or cutting through the skull vault, often to treat head injury or to remove bone splinters or blood clots caused by a blow to the head.

…The procedure has, in some parts of the world, also been associated with religious rituals and “to ward off evil spirits”. However, in the case of the Harappa skull, the trepanation was intended as therapeutic as there is a clear indication of cranial trauma in the form of a visible linear depression, probably resulting from a severe blow, says the study by A.R. Sankhyan and G.R. Schug.

There is evidence too of healing, “indicating that the victim survived for a considerable time after the operation,” the paper adds.

Why has this not been reported elsewhere in media? Google news tells me that the only other mention of this news-story is in The Telegraph (from Koklata). Strange.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Monday criticised Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh for proposing that Rahul Gandhi take over as Prime Minister and said that legally Mr. Gandhi and his sister were barred from the post.

In a statement, Dr. Swamy dubbed Mr. Singh as the “mouthpiece of the Janpath coterie” and said the coterie had “lost all hope on Manmohan Singh performing in the coming months as the 2G spectrum scam unravels and the list of accused lengthens with additions from the Congress.”

He accused Mr. Digvijay Singh of treating the Prime Minister as “some kind of regent in the Maino dynasty, waiting for Rahul to grow up.”

Dr. Swamy, however, argued that there was a legal bar on Mr. Gandhi becoming the Prime Minister “arising from Italian law which made him a citizen upon birth. He has never renounced this inherited citizenship and that he has travelled on Italian passport all over Europe on an alias.”

Dr. Swamy said Mr. Gandhi should “learn from the experience of his mother whose attempt to become the Prime Minister in 2004 was aborted when the then President of India Abdul Kalam wrote a letter (which is still to be published) which was read by two witnesses present when Ms. Sonia Gandhi received that letter, namely Natwar Singh and Manmohan Singh. It should now be perfectly clear to Ms. Sonia Gandhi as well as her two children that there is no legal way by which any of them can ever become the Prime Minister of India.”

The Writer claiming to be a ‘rationalist' tries to suggest that Hindus are in the iron grip of ‘swamis, gurus, yogis, babas, acharyas, bhagwans, astrologers, palmists, numerologists and faith healers'. Questioning the power of Sathya Sai Baba to perform miracles, he cites a number of other Hindu saints and seers as having defrauded the gullible masses and cheated them for their faith in them. The Writer completely ignores the practice of miracles and belief in supernatural in traditions other than Hindu. He maintains a studied silence on Quran and Bible and related traditions pertaining to Islam and Christianity which are based on blind faith. He even wrongly quotes Baba Ramdeo as having claimed to heal cancer of the intellectual import of the speeches of Shri Rajnish. It seems that he deliberately chooses to remain ignorant of the Sufis and missionaries who practice miracle for gaining converts to attack the Hindus for their faith in their Gurus

Somnath is one of the most important Hindu sacred sites, relating to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as the Supreme godhead. Its history goes back to the Vedic era and to the Mahabharat. Its great temple was first destroyed by the Afghani invader, Mahmud of Ghazni, in the eleventh century. It was one of the first great Hindu temples attacked by invading Muslims and its destruction left a great scar on the psyche of Hindus.

Meanwhile Mahmud was hailed throughout the Islamic world as a second Mohammed and his smashing of Somnath was lauded in the Sufi poetry of Attar, Sanai and Omar Khayyam. These poets equated Somnath with the temples to the pagan goddess Al-Manat destroyed by Mohammed and viewed its destruction as the 'will of Allah' and the 'enlightened march of Islam.'

The Hindus rebuilt the temple several times, but the Muslims destroyed it again. The temple was last destroyed by the Mughal tyrant, Aurangzeb around 1700. Aurangzeb, as history records, was a brutal ruler who left a trail of genocide and destruction, mainly aimed at converting Hindus. Aurangzeb built a mosque on the site of the Somnath temple, using some columns from the temple, whose Hindu sculptural motifs remained visible.

Under the guidance of the political leader Sardar Patel and KM Munshi (who founded Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan), the temple was restored around 1950. Mahatma Gandhi also approved of the retaking of Somnath but did not live to see it happen. Recently the President of India, Shanker Dayal Sharma, performed the Kalash pratishthan of the temple's Nritya Mandap and dedicated the temple to the nation.

Hindu leaders, particularly the VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad), have been asking for the restoration of three great Hindu holy sites whose temples were destroyed and replaced with mosques. These are Ayodhya (Ramajanmabhumi or Ram's birthplace), Mathura (Krishnajanmabhumi or Krishna's birthplace), and the great Shiva temple of Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The restoration of Somnath should be examined to see whether these other proposed restorations are valid.

There is some debate today that Ramajanmabhumi or Krishnajanmabhumi cannot be reclaimed because no one can prove that Rama or Krishna, who lived thousands of years ago, were actually born there. Those who restored Somnath were not asked to prove the history of Somnath thousands of years ago before restoring the temple. The tradition itself was enough to warrant the restoration.

Why was Somnath restored and not the others? Because Sardar Patel was a Gujarati (Somnath is in Gujarat) and he unfortunately died in 1950, preventing him from taking similar action for other Hindu sacred sites. Nehru, for whom Patel was the main rival, was not in favor of the restoration of Somnath and he effectively blocked the restoration of the other sites, particularly Ramajanmabhumi.

It is hypocritical to separate Somnath from the other three sites. If Kashi and Mathura cannot go back to the Hindus, then the taking of Somnath was illegal. If the destruction of Babri Masjid was a dastardly act, so was the demolition of the Somnath mosque. If Hindu political leaders, like the President, will not go to Ayodhya for worship, they should not go to Somnath either.

On the other hand, if Hindus can reclaim Somnath, they can reclaim the other three sites. In fact of the four sites, it can be argued that the most important is Krishnajanmabhumi, because Krishna is probably the most important Hindu religious figure. Kashi Vishwanath Shiva Temple is also at least as important as Somnath.

Kashi comes first as the city of Shiva. Because Somnath was destroyed first, it gained a greater nostalgia, but not because it is a more important site than the others. The reclaiming of Somnath hence demands the restoration of these other sites.

If Indian political leaders like Sardar Patel could reclaim Somnath and remain good secular leaders that the nation still honors, so can Indian political leaders today. If Somnath can be dedicated to the nation, so can the other sites. If Somnath is a matter of national pride, then certainly Ayodhya and the others deserve to be as well. If a legal process could be created to reclaim Somnath, a similar process can be created to reclaim these other three sites.

If Hindus honor Somnath, they should not look down upon attempts to restore Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, but, on the contrary, help accomplish this aim.

Her articles have been very inflamatory. As an Hindu it has offended me.And what is bothering me is how could she get away with this.There has to be lot of noise regarding this and CNN-IBN should fire her.

I have written on her anti-Hindu dogmas point by point.

*********

Whatever may be the reason, it just shows double standards and hypocrisy.

Whenever there is any talk regarding Hindu society, the first and foremost issue arresting us is VarnaShrama, seen as basics behind the promotion of alleged inhuman caste-system among Hindus. However, it’s no longer a secret that such procedure exists among so-called socialistic religions like Christianity and Islam too.

Nevertheless, recent studies, under eminent researchers and organizations, depict Brahmins no longer enjoys any predominant position but have turned into ruined entity. Casteism has lost its essence, hence.

Anti-Brahminism originated in, and still prospers in anti-Hindu circles. It is particularly welcome among Marxists, missionaries, Muslims, separatists and Christian-backed Dalit movements of different hues. When they attack Brahmins, their target is unmistakably Hinduism. So the question has to be asked: are the Brahmins (and other upper castes) of yesterday becoming the Dalits of today?

Monday, June 20, 2011

Ever since the Congress stormed back to power in 2009, it has launched such a vicious and relentless attack on the RSS that one cannot be faulted for believing that the organisation is as dangerous a terror outfit as the Al Qaida, and is out to destabilise and dismember India. At the same time, the party and the government have all but forgiven Pakistan for all its sins and launched an equally relentless campaign to convince Indians that they have more in common with Pakistanis than with Indians who do not subscribe to the views of the Congress and embedded media.

For Congress if the RSS is the new ISI, the latter has to be the new – though unstated, for obvious reasons -- friend. And so it seems it is.

When the Congress party did better than even it expected during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, among the many theories doing the rounds was one that was whispered but not openly articulated, the evidence then being not solid enough to substantiate it. As per this conspiracy theory, the ISI had a role to play in the victory of the Congress and defeat of the BJP.

**************

Why has there been no Pak-sponsored terror attack since 26/11? The answer, to my mind, is simple. When the Indian government has taken upon itself to unwittingly further the agenda of the ISI, where is the need for it to resort to active jihad that will inflame passions and undo the good work prematurely? For the last two years, little has been heard of the SIMI and IM too. Have these outfits dissolved or are they, with ISI’s help, quietly expanding their base even as Indian intelligence agencies look the other way in line with the dictates of their political masters who see the voting machine and nothing else?

Sonia Gandhi’s hatred for the Hindu Right is well known. Vir Sanghvi wrote about it and Wikileaks has confirmed it. But it now appears that her antipathy extends to Hindus as a whole. Nothing else can explain the manner in which the the Communal Violence Bill that she has approved, has been prepared in unholy haste by her handpicked, unelected team that includes known Hindu haters, even though there have been no communal riots for almost a decade.

In one stroke, the bill has achieved what a thousand terror attacks cannot. The Hindu has been virtually declared The Terrorist in his own country and, – if the bill is passed – subject to draconian provisions of law that even terrorists who blast innocent people are not. He cannot speak, he cannot write, much less do, anything that can be construed as offensive by a member of a minority community. Worse, even democratically elected governments, where Hindus are going to be in majority, have been declared untrustworthy; unelected bodies where minorities are in majority will decide whether the Hindu is guilty or not. His voice has, thus, been throttled and his spirit, his freedom killed far more effectively than the ISI could have in a hundred years, if at all.

When your own government nukes you, where is the need for the ISI to send Fedayeen to kill a few innocent people here and there?

If Sonia’s Congress continues to speed India to its ruin in this manner, a deceptive peace will prevail. This is not a peace to celebrate; it is a peace to fear. This is not a peace that will lead to peace; it is a peace that will end in mayhem. This is not a peace that will make India strong; it is a peace that will make its enemies strong. Do you want to go along, or would you rather be dubbed the new ISI?